The desire for healthier food and smaller pant sizes has sparked a change in the food-service industry.

In a study done by the Center for Disease Control, 35.7 percent of Americans are obese, just over one-third. This heavy statistic is causing fast food companies to start a new trend; out with the supersize, in with the smaller size.

A Big Mac alone weighs in at 540 calories, with the meal deal tipping the scale at 1130 calories, assuming medium french fries and a regular Coke are ordered.

This meal equates to more than half of the daily recommended intake of 2000 calories for the average adult. And the icing on the cake? Medical Coding found that the average American eats fast food at least once a week.

In a random poll of 20 SLU students, 13 of them said that they eat fast food at least once a week, and seven said it was two or more times a week.

The commonly listed reasons for eating fast food are that it is quick, cheap and better than on-campus dining.

The main deterrent for not eating out was transportation, followed closely by funding, even though the food is quite inexpensive.

The obvious solution to the fast food portion control is to just eat less of your meal; save some for later. However, Americans do not seem to have the willpower.

A large amount of research has been done on the subject, and it all concludesthat Americans are reliant on what they see to indicate fullness.

If there is a plate only half eaten, you must still be hungry. The physiological stomach-to-brain cue is ignored, and instead we strive to become members of the “clean plate club.”

Cutting back on portion sizes, then, is the next logical step. It does not matter if we lick our plates clean, as long as what was put on them is not in gigantic quantities.

The fast food industry has been taking steps to try and limit how much of their food consumers actually consume. McDonald’s has recently added a snack size McFlurry, which comes in an 8-ounce cup.

And Dairy Queen rolled out a Mini Blizzard that clocks in at 6-ounces, half the size of a small 12-ounce Blizzard.

Restaurants are starting to jump on board, as well. Applebees has added a section to their menu that highlights options that are less than 550 calories. T.G.I. Friday’s has a “Right Portion, Right Price” menu for small meals and small prices, and it also has a “Better for You” section with meals that have no more than 500 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving.

Certified Executive Chef Michael Milster said, “One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that the portion sizes at fast food [restaurants] has changed so much over time.”

He added that people just ate a lot less years ago. There were not any different sizes; it was all one generic size. “The average meal was a small-sized hamburger, a small fry and a 12-ounce soda,” he said. “Also, there was no such thing as Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, double cheese, etc.” According to the McDonald’s website, now the child’s size is 12 ounces.

The rise of not only making foods have less calories, but healthier is also growing in popularity.

Today, a McDonald’s Happy Meal contains a burger or chicken nuggets, french fries, a toy, a soft drink and now fruit.

This past summer, McDonald’s launched the new Happy Meal that automatically includes both french fries and produce, typically in the form of apples.

Other produce options may include carrots, raisins or mandarin oranges, depending on geographic location.

Freshman Taylor Wilson is happy with the changes. “I think that if fast food restaurants have [healthier] options, it will encourage more people to eat better,” she said.

Since fruit is now included, the french fry holder has now shrunk down to 1.1 ounces from 2.4 ounces. Also, parents can opt to sub out the french fries and order two servings of fruit.

ABC News estimates that this addition of produce will save 49 billion calories in American kids’ diets every year. In addition, McDonald’s has promised to reduce sodium in all of its menu items by 15 percent by 2015.

McDonalds is not the only chain to make changes. Places like Burger King, Chili’s and IHOP are all taking steps to offer healthier options by increasing servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy.

These items will aim to have less saturated fat, sugars and sodium, all of which are things that should be limited in our diets.

While fast food and eating out in general is not considered the healthiest option, these businesses are attempting to cut back on calories while beefing up the nutritional value of their food.

This movement could potentially be the change America needs to help pull the obesity epidemic in the lighter direction.